(19)

(11)

EP 1 360 311 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 12.09.2003 (43) Date of publication: 12.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/46 (21) Application number: 01964392.3 (22) Date of filing: 23.08.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/87 (86) International application number: PCT/US0126/421 (87) International publication number: WO 0201/8572 (07.03.2002 Gazette 2002/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 25.08.2000 US 227647 P 07.02.2001 GB 0103110 (71) Applicant: Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-2854 (US)	(72) Inventors: GUO, Yong Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (US) MORSE, Clarence, C. Asbury, NJ 08802 (US) YAO, Zhengbin Sugar Land, TX 77479 (US) KEESLER, George, A., Jr. Hillsborough, NJ 08844 (US) (74) Representative: Löwrick, Oliver, Dr.  Aventis Pharma Deutschland GmbH,Patent- und Lizenzabteilung 65926 Frankfurt am Main 65926 Frankfurt am Main (DE)